Arapahoe County, CO (KDVR) -- A mom accused of using her own 6-year-old son to scam people out of their compassion and thousands of dollars in cash is due in court Wednesday. She was arrested March 13.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff's office says Sandy Nguyen, 28, told people her little boy had cancer.

Investigators say she made up the story to dupe people out of more than $25,000 in charitable donations.

\"Sandy Nguyen did convince her son, family and community that her 6-year-old son had cancer and was receiving cancer treatment since approximately September, 2012,\" a news release last week said.

An account had been set up for the donations. The community began fundraising efforts at schools and other methods in September 2013. The boy attended Rolling Hills Elementary in the Cherry Creek School District.

\"Over the last several months, Ms. Nguyen accepted at least $16,000 from that account, as well as a trip to Disneyland for herself and family, which was paid for by the donated funds.\"

Investigators searched her home Thursday and recovered about $23,000 cash. They say she admitted to them that her son does not have cancer.